De jure educational segregation

Date and country of first publication

1998
None

Definition

De jure educational segregation refers to the separation of students based on their race or ethnicity by law or government policy. It refers to instances where educational institutions or systems are intentionally designed or legally mandated to keep students of different races or ethnicities separate from each other.

Historically, de jure educational segregation was prevalent in the United States during the era of Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation in various aspects of society, including education. These laws enforced separate schools for African American and white students, with the facilities and resources provided often being significantly unequal. This resulted in a significant disparity in educational opportunities and outcomes for students of different races.

The landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education (1954), declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional and violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This ruling was significant in desegregating schools and dismantling de jure educational segregation. However, despite the legal abolition of segregation, de facto segregation still persists in some educational systems due to factors like housing patterns and socioeconomic inequalities.

De jure educational segregation is regarded as a discriminatory practice that denies equal educational opportunities to students and perpetuates social and economic inequalities. Efforts to promote diversity, inclusivity, and equal access to quality education continue to be important in addressing the consequences of past segregation and ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all students.

Notes

At its current state, this definition has been generated by a Large Language Model (LLM) so far without review by an independent researcher or a member of the curating team of segregation experts that keep the Segregation Wiki online. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its reliability, completeness and timeliness. Please use this content with caution and verify information as needed. Also, feel free to improve on the definition as you see fit, including the use of references and other informational resources. We value your input in enhancing the quality and accuracy of the definitions of segregation forms collectively offered in the Segregation Wiki ©.

Further reading

Barkoff A.N. (1998) Revisiting de jure educational segregation: legal barriers to school attendance for children with special health care needs.. Cornell journal of law and public policy, 8(1), 135-199. [1]